THE 



WATERVILLE VALLE" 



THE WATERVILLE VALLEY, 



A HISTORY, DESCRIPTION, AND 
GUIDE, 



BY 



a; L. GOODRICH. 



1892. 



3B, Q 9 



When, all at once, behold ! 
Beneath our feet, a little lowlj^ vale, 
A lowly vale, and yet uplifted high 
Among the mountains ; even as if the spot 
Had been from eldest time by wish of theirs 
So placed, to be shut out from all the world ! 
Urn-like it was in shape, deep as an urn ; 
With rocks encompassed, save that to the south 
Was one small opening, where a heath-clad ridge 
Supplied a boundry less abrupt and close. 

The Excursion . — Wordsworth. 



Preface. 



The author desires to ask indulgence for any errors 
that may be detected. Great care has been taken and 
much time spent in an endeavor to roach an accurate 
record but it can hardly be expected that mistakes 
have not crept in. The writer also wishes to acknowl- 
edge his indebtedness to all who have so kindly fur- 
nished him with information, and in particular to Miss 
Mary B. Briggs, of Dedham, Mass. ; Mr. E. J. Conna- 
ble, of Jackson, Mich. ; Mr. Merrill Greely, of Ply- 
mouth, X. H. ; and Mr. Silas B. Elliott, of Waterville, 
N. H. 

Salem, Mass., April, 1892. 



PART I. 

Descriptive and Historical. 

The Waterville Valley is a name given to the upper 
portion of the valley of the Mad River and lies almost 
entirely in the town of Waterville, N. H. 

It may be reached by leaving the main line of the 
Concord and Montreal Railroad at Plymouth and tak- 
ing the branch road up the Pemigewasset valley as 
far as Campton. The visitor here turns away from 
the Pemigewasset to the northeast and follows the 
carriage road into the broad mouth of the Mad River 
valley. As he advances the valley closes in, the hills 
grow higher, the road plunges violently down to the 
river, crosses, enters the forest, and resumes its up- 
ward course close along the banks of the swift, brawl- 
ing stream whose character has given it the name it 
bears. About nine miles from the point where he 
left the train our traveller begins to see signs of 
change in the mountain wall on his left. As he 
catches glimpses through the forest along the stream, 
or from the occasional clearings, he feels that he is 
approaching a wider, more open valley trending north. 
He is now on the southern border of the Waterville 
valley. The high summits on his right have retired 
some distance only to rise to greater heights in the 
dome-like double crest of Black Mountain and then to 
sweep round by the east in a series of lower crests 



6 

and masses barring farther advance in the direction ia 
whicli lie has come and finally running gff to the Dorth 
iz :ir 'z-i^'z ridge of which Snow's Monntain nvkTS 
t-i- : :~: 71^ Mgh monntain wall on his Iti" L = 
: :it 1 \~ : the north and runs off in a sn: ; :i, 
51 tH It : - - ; ied slope till it culminates in the 
c: r : - :: 1:1: Tt i^iseliL Between these two 
ii: vTT :_..: :: ^_:~ s 1 1 : antain on the east and that 
:: I : — seh on the west, with a distance of some- 
r .11^ -f- two miles from crest to crest, lie? thr 
Ti - -:^T .:wer portion of the Waterville t^IItt 
A: Tr :::: 11 rnd, four or ^Te miles awaj, appar. 
e 1 : : ; ii:-:;^ ^--c gap eompletelj, rises the huge m^s s 
:: IJ: sceolaL The road we have followed crissrs 
> :: : t ; : £ : i: t s fairly out into the clearing, runs 
«:^; :: Z. _ ::: - Z :: ^ makes a loop in front of the 
door, and tiZ ZI^ib are no other roads. A short 
distance aboT r _ r ^ : : -' - 1 r -ley turns rather sharply 
to the east an :1 _ _ t : : t _ : rides. The wider part 
bears to the southeEs: .l : : is off to lose itself 
against the steep westTi 7 z ^5 :i "he Tripyramids. 
The narrower part turr s z h :_ r : : the north ror 
a mile or more and the l = - : ^ : i .^^ to the left« 

runs into a fine moni: i : : h_ ~ "rle Mad 

River STotch, which lis t t !_: !; r li and 
S^ncamagus. 

The whole valley then is really a bowl-like depres- 
sion with a diameter of about six miles, around the 
rim of which, going from north round by east, stand 
the following mountains : — Mt. Osceola with its two 
peaks, Kancamagus with its five rounded and crowded 
summits, the four peaks of the Tripyramids, the con. 
fused mass of doubtful name and still more doubtful 



topography in the triangular space between the South 
Tripyramid, Whiteface and Black Mt., Black Moun- 
tain itself with its outlying spurs, and finally Mt. 
Tecumseh closing the circuit. But the symmetry of 
this bowl is broken by two projections thrust from 
the surrounding wall toward the centre. From the 
southeast comes forward fully to the centre of the 
bowl the large ridge of which Snow's Mt. forms the 
crest; while from the low fourth, or northwestern, 
peak of the Tripyramids runs a long ridge ending in 
" The Scaur " between Slide brook and Flume brook. 

This valley was first entered by settlers about 1820. 
It was then included in the Gillis & Foss Grant. 
Among the settlers of early date were Josiah Gillis, 
jr., Moses Foss, Noah Danforth, Benj. Ellis, Frank 
C. W. Blanchard, William Snow, Nathaniel Greeley, 
Asa Bryant and Wm. Baird. It was incorporated as 
the town of Waterville July'l, 1829 and by the next 
year ten acres of land in the vicinity of the '' old barn '^ 
had been cleared by Wm. Baird from Dunbarton, 
jS". H. By 1831 seventeen poll taxes were assessed 
and twenty acres of improved land taxed but the cold 
rocky soil of this high, northern valley offered few in- 
ducements for farming and by 1833 eleven of the sev- 
enteen men, two of the three horses and four of the 
fourteen cows had disappeared. 

Mr. Arnold Drake, Sr. (who came in 1838), and 
Mr. Snow, bought their farms of jSTathaniel Greeley. 
Tlie best location was doubtless that of Wm. Snow 
who lived to an advanced age near the foot of the 
mountain which bears his name. His house was 
standing on its old site down to a very recent date but 
has now been removed. It stood on the northern side 



8 

of Snow's brook, about eight rods from the highway, 
at the point where the road niakes its abrupt turn. 

It was not until several trials had been made that 
the impossibility of making use of Mad Kiver as a 
logging highway was fully understood. In 1828(9) 
Wm. Baird built a mill at the ''old dam " below the 
present site of Drake's Mill. Elisha Packard built his 
mill in 1850 on Snow's brook, 75 or 100 rods below 
the highway. Danford Cook built another in 1855 at 
the point now called " The Steps, " and Mr. Drake 
built his in 1861. Cook's Mill (the '' old mill " of the 
early visitors) was on the west side of Mad Kiver. It 
was reached by a high bridge which crossed the stream 
a few rods below the dam. Mr. Cook's house stood 
about half way between Moody Elliott's house (now 
Osceola Cottage) and the bridge. 

The road to Swaseytown and Beckytown followed 
the present Swaseytown path (p. ) to the Cascades 
very closely, crossing Cascade brook a short distance 
below the point where the present foot-path crosses. 

Eben Swasey and family lived in Swaseytown from 
1842 to 1849 and Beckytown was inhabited by Frank 
C. W. Blanchard and Eebekah, his wife, between the 
same dates. Both places have long since been aban- 
doned to the forest which has nearly reclaimed them, 
and Beckytown in particular has been buried many 
feet beneath the debris of the great slides from Tri- 
pyramid. 

The old bridle-path to the Saco valley by the way 
of Greeley Ponds was built in 1860; the Plat Mt. 
path (now lost) to Sandwich, in 1860 ; the Thornton 
path, in 1877 ; the Livermore path, in 1879. 

The Waterville of to-day owes its character, if not 



its existence, to Nathaniel Greeley and Nancy, his 
wife, who came from Salisbury, N. H. among the 
earliest settlers. 

Nathaniel and Joseph Greeley were born and reared 
in Salisbury, N. H., and their father at an early day 
purchased several hundred acres of land in Waterville 
and donated it to the two brothers. 

They entered the valley in the spring of 1831 and 
found that the larger part and perhaps all of the 
purchase was on the high lands on the east side of the 
valley. Joseph, after remaining a few weeks, think- 
ing he could do better elsewhere, went to New York 
where he remained to the time of his death. Of his 
share of the land Nathaniel afterwards became the 
owner. 

At this time, and for a number of years after, there 
was no wagon road for several miles from this settle- 
ment, probably five or six, and all freight necessary 
for the little colony had to be transported on horse 
back or by manual labor. 

The level lands of the valley had been owned and 
occupied before the arrival of the Greeleys by two fam- 
ilies, one of whom, named Toby, built the south barn 
still standing. Two or three rods south of this is a 
small elevation on which a dilapidated log house 
stood in 1859 ; and about a dozen rods east of said 
barn a small frame building was then standing once 
owned and occupied by a family named Bryant, in 
which Mrs. Arnold Drake, Sr., was a child. They 
claimed to be (perhaps distant !) relations of Wm. 
Cullen Bryant. 

For the want of a better place, Mr. Greeley built 
his small house about three rods below the northwest 
corner of the orchard ; the cellar is still to be seen 



lO 

partly filled with earth and bushes. He then cut and 
burned the trees on 100 acres on the mountain side 
principally, if not entirely, with his own hands ; and 
his wife has told us more than once how, after the 
fire had swept over the mass of fallen trees, she used 
to shut her two little boys in the cabin while she, day 
after day, gathered and burned such half burned pieces 
as she was able to handle. 

At such expense of care and toil did the elder 
Greeleys build their small house, and plant their 
orchard, on a sunny knoll at the edge of the forest, 
so situated that Noon Peak was exactly south. They 
were thus in a measure prepared for that which, rather 
than farming or logging, was to be the productive in- 
dustry of the place. The first summer boarder came 
to their home in 1833 and was so well suited that he 
returned with his wife the following year. He was 
Ephraim W. Bull of Concord, Mass., known as the 
producer of the Concord Grape. 

After living in the original house for sixteen years, 
they built the little " red cottage " and wood-shed now 
standing at the western end of the hotel (the barn was 
built in 1843). By this time Mr. Greeley had ac- 
quired nearly all the valley land and had turned his at- 
tention to raising neat stock, while in the winter he 
materially increased his income by an active lumbering 
business. 

In 1859 a hotel 100 x 40 ft., three stories high, with 
a wing of two-thirds the capacity of the main build- 
ing, was begun. It was finished for the next season 
and a grand opening held July 4, 1860, at which time 
there were said to be not less than 1000 people pres- 
ent, forming a procession nearly two miles long. 

The house was well filled and the first season gave 



II 

promise of a successful future, but on the morning of 
June 10, 1861, the cook of the previous year, who with 
his little family lived in the rear wing, was awakened 
by the flames and found that nearly the entire attic of 
the main building was ablaze. The house with almost 
all its contents was soon reduced to ashes, leaving as 
its only modern vestige the bowling alley and a cellar 
now grown up to trees. 

After the burning of the hotel some of the guests 
took rooms at the '' red cottage '' and for several years 
this little building was filled with boarders in spite of 
close quarters and unpleasant barnyard surroundings. 

"' At this time," writes Mr. A. S. Osborne describing 
his visit in 1862, ^' Greeley, the elder, was proprietor 
of the valley and everything in it. He was then about 
sixty-five years old and appeared to have an iron con- 
stitution although his spare form was somewhat bent 
and gnarled. His features were full of odd lines and 
produced an effect of good natured grotesqueness that 
was quite taking. He was very bright and quick at 
retort and had an immense amount of executive energy 
that he carried into everything." 

The first addition to the '• red cottage " was begun 
in 1865 and finished ready for the earliest arrivals of 
1866, with a capacity for about sixty guests. The 
property passed subsequently into the hands of Mr. 
Merrill Greeley, son of Nathaniel, and was by him 
sold to Mr. Elliott in the fall of 1883. Mr. Elliott 
has since enlarged and improved it greatly. 

The valley came into repute as a fishing ground long 
before summer boarders appeared in any numbers. 
One of the earliest traditions of the place involves a 
certain Elisha Horlon of Canton, Mass., who came 



12 

every summer to the valley and spent Ms days in ang 
ling. He always wandered away alone and brought 
back trout of the largest size, but would never reveal 
to others the whereabouts of his fishing grounds. 

Among the earliest boarders, so far as we can ascer- 
tain, who still come at least occasionally, or whose 
immediate relatives come, were : — 

Mr. E. J. Connable, and wife, Jackson, Mich., 1859, 
Mr. N. S. Bachelder, Concord, N. H., 1862, 
Prof. Geo. A. Osborne, Boston, Mass., 1862, 
Mr. A. S. Osborne, " '' 1862, 

Mrs. M. E. Goodrich, Salem, Mass., 1864, 
Mr. Theo. M. Osborne, " " 1865, 

Mrs. M. F. Eitzinger, Indianapolis, Ind,, 1866, 
Mrs. H. S. Osborne, Salem, Mass., 1867, 
Miss H. E. Osborne, " '^ 1867, 

Mr. T. M. Stimpson, Peabody, Mass., 1868, 
Mr. Arthur Fletcher, and wife. Concord, N. H., 1870, 
Miss A. M. Fletcher, '' '' 1870, 

Mrs. Mary G. Batchelder, Salem, Mass., 1870, 
Miss Mary B. Briggs, Dedham, Mass., 1871, 
Mr. F. C. Briggs, Hampton, Va., 1871, 
Judge J. W. Bacon, and wife, Natick, Mass., 1872. 
There are at present (1892) seven cottages in the 
valley. Mr. E. J. Connable built his in 1863 ; Rev. J. 
M. Buckley built his in 1877 ; Messers. J. W. Davis 
and F. C. Briggs, theirs in 1880 ; Rev. F. N. Peloubet, 
his in 1883 ; The Spruces, originally built by Mrs. 
Mary Taylor in 1860, was remodelled in 1884 ; Mr. C. 
H. Pond built his cottage (now owned by Mrs. S. L. 
Woods) in 1886 ; and the Osceola cottage was built in 
1887 on the frame of a cottage originally built by Mr. 
Moody Elliott. 



13 

Thus the visitor of to-day, if he ascends the little 
slope to the east of the hotel and looks about him with 
his face to the west, finds himself on the eastern side 
and near the northern end of a small clearing in the 
middle of a valley five or six miles long by two or 
three wide, closed at its southern end by the huge 
mass of Black Mountain, and at the north by the still 
finer peaks of Mt. Osceola, and flanked on east and 
west by the summits and ridges of Snow's Mt. and 
Mt. Tecumseh. Below him lies the hotel ; to right 
and left, on the low ridge where he is, stand three fine 
cottages ; in the valley below him are four more ; over 
by the woods is the bowling alley ; while down the 
road is the inevitable school-house. All else is wood 
and stream and glorious mountain air. 

As to the reasons that might induce a visit, or the 
pleasures one might expect, they are manifold. In 
the first place it is retired. It is ten miles down a 
narrow valley to the nearest railroad, and there is no 
other possible approacli except through the woods and 
over the mountains. One feels that he has got into a 
place different from the usual resorts. Distant views 
are not to be had, of course, except from the mountain 
tops, but it does not seem shut in ; it is too large, the 
summits are too far apart, for that. There is plenty 
of sunlight, of air, of woods, of streams and moun- 
tains ; and the world with its cares and troubles is 
shut out. Then again it is not fashionable. The 
class of people who take their summer outing by shift- 
ing from a city to a country drawing room do not go 
to Waterville. Eest, recreation, and Nature are its 
chief attractions. As to its natural attractions, just 
run your eye over the map noticing the dotted lines 



14 

with the multitude of names attached. Those lines 
represent paths. There are over thirty miles of them 
in the valley — all well wooded, all well kept, and all 
secure from intrusion. Then those who like severer 
work can find it in abundance by abandoning the paths 
and taking to the woods in almost any direction. 
There is plenty of splendid climbing on the slopes of 
Tecumseh, Black, Osceola, or the Tripyramids from 
whose northern and southern flanks came the great 
slides of 1869 and 1885. As to the fishing, count the 
brooks. Finally, the valley is so placed that it is ad- 
mirably adapted for use as a starting-point for long 
trips into all that little-visited region which lies be- 
tween the Saco on the east and the Profile Xotch on 
the west, and reaches from the Waterville and Albany 
valleys on the south to the Twin Mountains on the 
north — the heart of the mountain region. 



NOTE. 

The part that follows is merely a guide. Xo views 
are described, no emotions inserted. Those who use 
it are warned that the distances given are approxi- 
mate only and do not represent, in muscular effort, 
the same number of miles on a level road. It will be 
well also to keep in mind what the right bank of a 
stream is. The heights of the mountains are taken 
from the lists of the A. M. C. and the U. S. Coast 
Survey. The bearings given are magnetic. 



PART 11. 
I, Mountains. 



Black Mountain, or Sandwich Dome. S. S 
W. from Hotel. 3999 ft. 

Hotel, by road, to beginning'of path, 2 M : to Noon Peak, 3i ; 
to Jenning's Peak, 4^ ; to summit, 5^. 

The path is very steep as far as Xoon Peak ; after 
that, quite easy. There is a spring about two-thirds 
way between Noon and Jenning's Peaks, but none 
near the summit. Neither of these peaks is on the 
main path but each can be reached by a short side 
path. 

Flat Mountain. 2700 ft. The low mass between 
Black Mt. and Snow's ^Mountain. Fletcher's Cascade 
(p. 23) is on its flank. 

Flume Peak. Between forks of Flume Brook. 

Jenning's Peak. A spur of Black Mountain. 

Kancamagus. 3724 ft. Makes the eastern wall 
of Mad Pviver Notch (p. 25). 

Noon Peak. A spur of Black Mountain. 

Osceola. N. 13° W. from Hotel. 4352 ft. 

Hotel to Osceola Bridge, 4-5 M. (First Crossing of West Branch) ; 
to First Lookout, U ; to' Second Crossing, 1§ ; to lower spring, 2^ ; 
to Second LookovitJ 3^^ ; to upper spring, 3| ; to summit, 4 3-16. 



i8 

Go north from the House by Osceola Cottage to The 
Steps. Cross Mad Kiver here, turn to the right and 
take the path which very quickly leads away to the 
left. Follow this to Osceola Bridge. West Branch 
is then crossed and the path at once divides. The 
left hand path leads to Tecumseh; keep to the right. 
At the First Lookout the path divides again. The 
left hand path leads to Thornton Gap ; keep straight 
on. The second crossing of West Branch comes very 
soon. The path begins to ascend shortly after cross- 
ing the brook. Its steepest part is between the lower 
spring and the second Lookout. The lower spring is 
just off the path on the right about 1 m. beyond the 
second crossing. It is unfailing. The upper spring 
is close to the path on the left about ^ m. from the 
summit. It is small but never fails except in very 
dry weather. The First Lookout gives a view to the 
east over Mad River valley with the Tripyramids in 
the middle distance. The Second Lookout gives view 
to south over whole valley. 

Snow's Mountain. 2400 ft. Wooded summit 
southeast of House. No path. (1892.) 

Tecumseh, K 66"" W. from House. 4008 ft. 

Hotel to Osceola Bridge, 4-5 M. ; to Tecumseh Kapids, 1^; to 
Spring, 2 ; to summit, 3 1-16. 

This path is same as the Osceola path (p. 17) till 
Osceola Bridge is passed. Here we turn to left up 
the ridge. The climbing begins at once. The grade 
is quite heavy and increases steadily, the last mile 
being the hardest. The spring is a poor one. Tecum- 
seh Eapids, on Tecumseh Brook, are reached by a 
short side path. 



19 

Tripyramids, The. 

1. The North Tripyramid. 4189 ft. 

Hotel to Beckytown, 1| M. ; to point -where A. M. C. path 
touches Avalanche Brook, 2^ ; to foot of North Slide, 3| ; to head 
of Ravine of Avalanches, 4^^ to summit, 4^. 

2. The South Tripyramid. 4139 ft. 

Hotel to Becky town, 1| M, ; to " V," 3i ; to foot of South Slide, 
4 ; to summit, 4^. 

a The Middle Tripyramid, 4155 ft., 

is about I M. from the South, and f M. from the North Tripyra- 
mid. 

The route to the Tripyramids follows any of the 
paths to Becky town (p. 20) and then divides. The 
route to the X. T. crosses Slide Brook at Beckytown 
and follows the A. M. C. path (p. 20) for some dis- 
tance and then branches off into the bed of Avalanche 
Brook, up which it follows over the path of the slide. 

The route to the S. T. takes to the brook at Becky- 
town and follows up the track of the slide. Either 
route is rocky and open to the sun after the brook-bed 
is entered. There is no path over the summits, and 
considerable scrub spruce exists. The summits are 
wooded. The round trip is one of the hardest in the 
valley. 

The " V " is a place in the path of the South Slide 
where Slide Brook has cut through the ledge in such 
a way that a cross-section of its excavation gives a V. 
It is not an easy place to pass. 

The Black Cascade is about J M. below the " V,^' 
The stream here flows over a ledge of Ossipyte. 

Cold Brook enters on the right bank near the same 
place. It comes from the South Tripyramid and, 
when not flooded, flows for a considerable distance 



20 



underground. The South Slide came down in Oct. 4, 
1869, and was largely increased at the time when the 
North Slide occurred, Aug. 13, 1885. The South Slide 
is on the S. W. face of the South Tripyramid ; the 
North Slide, on the north face of the Xorth Tripyra- 
mid. 



IL Other Objects. 

A. M. C. Path (Appalachian Mountain Club). 
See Livermore Path. 

Beckytown, 1 j M. See historical sketch, p. 8. 
Follow any of the paths to the Cascades (p. 21). 
A few rods beyond the point where the Swaseytown 
and Outlook paths to the Cascades unite, the Becky- 
town path turns to the left (IJ M., by Outlook). 
The path crosses Cascade Brook at once and runs J M. 
through the woods to Beckytown. About two-thirds 
of the way through, the Norway Eapids path turns 
off to the left. 

Big Bowlder, The. 1 M. 
It is situated on the right bank of Slide Brook a 
few rods above its junction with Mad River. It can 
be reached either by the Bluff path (p. 22), or by the 
Greeley Ponds path (p. 23) and the Big Bowlder 
Bridge (p. 22). See the directions for reaching the 
Cascades (p. 21), or Swaseytown (p. 27). 

Big Bowlder Bridge, The, | M. 
Connects the G-reeley Ponds path and the Bluff 
path. Is situated on Mad Eiver a short distance be- 
low the point where Slide Brook enters. 



21 

Big Tree, The, | M. 

Go by the Osceola path (p. 17) about J M. ; then 
turn to the left, cross the West Branch, and ascend 
the slight rise beyond. It is a big pine. 

Black Cascade, The. 
So called from the color of the Ossipyte ledge over 
which the water pours. See South Tripyramid 
(p. 19). 

Bluff, The, I M. 
A few rods beyond The Steps (p. 27) on the left 
bank of Mad River. Take the Swaseytown path 
and turn to left just as you enter the woods. 

^Bowlder Brook. 
The tributary of Drake's Brook on which Fletcher's 
Cascade is situated (p. 23). 

Bowlders, The. 
At the mouth of Bowlder Brook. 

Cascades, The. 

1. Over the hill, Outlook Path. 

Hotel to Elephant Rock, V2 M. ; to Outlook, ^4 ; to Spring, 1 ; 
to Cascades, IV2. 

The Swaseytown path (see, 2) enters on left at foot 
of hill beyond the spring. The Beckytown path 
(p. 20) leaves on the left a few rods further on. 

2. Via Swaseytown. 

Hotel to Spring-, IM; to Swaseytown, 1 5-16; to Cascades, 2. 

The path, by Bluff and Big Bowlder (see, 3) enters 
this path at the Spring. The Norway Rapids path 
(p. 25) leaves on the left immediately after Swasey- 

*Only a few brooks will he included in this list. For others 
see map. 



22 

town is passed, and the path over the hill (see, 1) is 
joined about ^ M. further on. 

3. Via Bluff and Big Bowlder. 

Hotel to Bluff, Vs M ; to Big Bowlder Bridge, % ; to Big Bowl- 
der, 1; to Spring, iVi] to Swaseytown, 19-16; to Cascades, 2V4. 
The Scaur path turns to left over Kettles Bridge just above the 
Bowlder. 

4. Via Big Bowlder Bridge, 2i M. 

Follow Greeley Ponds path for about % M. Then cross Mad 
River by Big Bowlder Bridge and continue by Bluff path (see, 3). 

The Cascades are 7 or 8 in number, of which the 
third and first are the finest. For the best views 
cross the brook at the foot of the first fall and go up 
on the right bank. It is possible to recross at the 
head of the fourth fall and return by the left bank. 
The Cave is on the right bank beside the second 
fall. 

Cave, The. See Cascades. 
Cold Brook. See South Tripyramid. 
Crossings of West Branch. See Osceola. 
Dusky Pool, t M. Just above Osceola Bridge 
(p. 26). Take the Osceola Rapids path (p. 26). 

East Pond, 7 M. Can be reached by Thornton 
Gap. 

Elephant Rock, J M. On hill path to Cascades 
(p. 21). It is 2 or 3 rods off the path to the right. 

Elliott's Pond, | M. 
Go by road to Snow's Brook and then turn to left 
up the left bank. 

Emerald Pool, Ij M. On the Osceola Brook. See 
the Osceola Rapids path (p. 26). 

Flat Mt. Pond, 4i M. On Flat Mt. No path 
(1892). 



23 
Fletcher's Cascade. 

Hotel, by road, to path, 1% M. ; to foot of Cascade, 3V4; to sum- 
mit, 3y2. 

Go by road nearly to Drake's Brook, then follow 
logging road up right bank to the head of the clear- 
ing beyond the old mill. Then take the path to the 
right and continue up rigrht bank first of Drake's 
Brook and then of Bowlder Brook. Just before the 
foot of the Cascade is reached the path crosses the 
brook and theu continues up the left bank nearly to 
the top. The Cascades were named for Mr. Arthur 
Fletcher, of Concord, N. H. The Bowlders which 
give the name to the brook are at its mouth. A short 
side path leads to them. 

Flume, The. 

Hotel to Greeley Ponds Bridge, 2^/2 M. ; to Towle's Fall, 2%; to- 
Flume, 31/2 ; to Green Cascade, 3% ; to A. M. C. path, 4. 

This path follows the Greeley Ponds path (p. 23) to 
Greeley Ponds Bridge (p. 24) and then keeps up the 
left bank of Plume Brook for about | M., after which 
it crosses to the right bank for the rest of the distance. 
The grade is pretty heavy, especially after the brook 
is crossed. The path enters the Plume at the lower 
right hand corner looking down stream. There is no 
path through the Plume (1892), nor is there any path 
to the Green Cascade above, but a well marked path 
runs from a point on the left bank at the head of the 
Cascade across the woods to the A. M. C. path (p. 20) 
by which a return can be made via Becky town (p. 20). 

Greeley's Ponds. 1815 ft. 

Hotel to steps, Vs M.; to Big Bowlder Bridge path, %; to Scaur 
Bridge, 15-6; to Knights' Bridge, 2 1-6; to Greeley Ponds Bridge, 
2*4 ; to lower Pond, 4 ; to upper Pond, ^Vs. 



24 

This path crosses Mad Eiver at the Steps, turns to 
the right avoiding the Osceola path (p. 17) and con- 
tinuing up tlie right bank of the Kiver to The Knights' 
Bridge (p. 28) where it crosses to the left bank up 
which it continues (crossing Flume Brook at Greeley 
Ponds Bridge) for about a mile. It then goes over 
permanently to the right bank. The path is no where 
steep but is rather wet in places beyond Flume Brook. 
The old path to the Saco Valley ran by the Ponds 
(seep. 25). The Flume path (p. 23) turns to the right 
at Greeley Ponds Bridge. The Ponds were named for 
the former proprietor of the hotel, Mr, iSTathaniel 
Greeley. 

Greeley Ponds Bridge, 2J M. On Flume Brook 
where the Greeley Ponds Path crosses (p. 23). 

Green Cascade, The. On Flume Brook above 
the Flume (p. 23). 

Judge's Spring. 
See The Scaur. Named for Judge John W. Bacon, 
of Natick, Mass. 

Kettles, The Three, 1| M. 
Three kettle-shaped depressions (probably caused 
by the melting of glacial ice) on the path to The Scaur 
via Big Bowlder (p. 26). 

Livermore Path, or A. M. C. Path. 

Hotel to lumber camp (1892), 6 M.; to Livermore Mills, 12; to 
Sawyer's River station on P. & O. R. R., li. 

Take any of the paths to Becky town (p. 20). Cross 
Slide Brook at Beckytown and continue up the valley 
first of Slide Brook and then of Avalanche Brook till 
the short side path leading to the Xorth Slide (p. 19) 
is reached. Keep to the left and continue up the 



25 

slope onto the high table land between Tripyramid 
and Kancamagus. Cross this in a N. E. direction. 
The path to the Flume (p. 23) leaves on the left when 
about half way across this table land. The path then 
descends into the basin formed by the head waters 
of Swift Eiver till the logging railroad is reached. 
The tourist can then go over by the railroad to the 
valley of Sawyer's Eiver and so out to the Saco. 

This path is plain and well marked now (1892) but 
is liable to be cut up in all sorts of ways by logging 
roads on the eastern slope of Kancamagus. 

Lookouts, The. 1st and 2nd. 
On the Osceola path (p. 17). 

Mad River Notch. 1815 ft. 
This is the pass between Osceola and Kancamagus. 
The Greeley Ponds (p. 23) are in this notch. The old 
path to the Saco by Sawyer's river ran here. It kept 
on by the ponds and then turning somewhat to the 
X. E. ran along the slope nearly parallel to the north 
branch of Hancock Branch till it reached a gap at its 
head by means of which it crossed into the valley of 
Sawyer's Eiver and followed it down. A much bet- 
ter route than the present A. M. C. path. 

Meadows, The, Upper and Lower. 
The Upper Meadow is an intervale on Mad Eiver 
directly west of house, J M. The Lower Meadow 
(J M.) is a smaller intervale farther down river. It 
is usually reached by the left hand path in the woods 
back of the bowling alley, but can also be reached by 
a cart path 8 or 10 rods south of the alley. 

Norway Rapids. 

1. Direct, IjM. 

Go over the hill by Cascade path (p. 21) and follow the Becky- 
town path (p. 20) for about % M. from Cascade Brook; then turn 
to the left. 



26 

2. Via Swaseytown, 1^ M\ 

Take the Swaseytown (direct) path and turn to the left im- 
mediately after leaving Swaseytown. The path crosses Cas- 
cade Brook at once and continues np the left bank of Slide Brook. 
It joins the direct path at the head of the Eapids. 

3. Via Big Bowlder, 2 M. 

Take either path to Big Bowlder (p. 20). Then continue np the 

left "bank of Slide Brook. This joins Swaseytown path at the 
Spring. 

These rapids are on Slide Brook between Swaseytown and Becky- 
town. 

Osceola Bridge, | M. 

Over the West Brancli on Osceola path (p. 17). 
Osceola Rapids. 

House to Dnsky Pool. 4-5 M. : to Emerald Pool. 1^^ : to Eapids, 

The path is the same as the Osceola path (p. 17) 
till just before Osceola Bridge is reached. Here it 
turns away sharply to the right, and then immediately 
to left again, and follows up the left bank first of 
West Branch and then of Osceola Brook till the Eap- 
ids are reached. 

Outlook, The, | IM. 
On hill path to Cascades (p. 21). View of Mad 
Kiver Notch (p. 25). 

Ravine of Avalanches. 
The head of Avalanche Brook. See North Tripyr- 
amid (p. 19). 

Scaur, The. 
1. Via Scaur Bridge. 

Honse to Scanr Bridge, 1 5-6 M. : to Judge's Spring, 2 ; to snm- 
mit, 2V4. 

This path follows the Greeley Ponds path (p. 23) to 
Scaur Bridge. It rises from the brook by two steep 
terraces and a final sharp climb to the ledge. The 
Judge's Spring is on the left of the path near the foot 



27 

of the first terrace. The Kettles path (see 2) enters 
at the foot of the final climb. 

2. Via Kettles. 

House to Big Bowlder, 1 M. ; to Kettles, 1 % ; to summit, IVi. 

This path leaves the Big Bowlder path (p. 20) at 
the Kettles Bridge just above the bowlder and joins 
the Scaur Bridge path (see 1) at the foot of the final 
climb to the ledge, avoiding the second terrace en- 
tirely, and taking the first terrace gradually at the 
Kettles. There is a spring on the right a few rods 
before the two paths join. 

The Scaur is a very precipitous ledge on the slope 
of the hill between Mad River and Slide Brook. 

Scaur Bridge, 1 § M. 
Over Mad River. See The Scaur (p. 26). 

Shell Cascades. 

House, by road, to path, 3% M. ; to Cascades, ^k. 

These Cascades are on Hardy's Brook which comes 
out of the ravine west of the great ridge of Tecumseh. 

Slides, The, North and South. 
See Tripyramids (p. 19). 

Steps, The, \ M. 
They make the descent of the bluff to the bed of 
Mad River at the point where most of the paths, go- 
ing north, cross. 

Swaseytown. See Historical Sketch, p. 8. 

1. ' Direct, Ifg M. 

Go north from the House to The Steps and then to the right, 
keeping iip the hill into the woods and avoiding the Bluff by keep- 
ing straight on. 

2. Via Big Bowlder, \\ M. 

Either (1) go, as above, by direct path to Bluff, then turn to left 



28 

over the Bluff and follow the left hank of Mad River up to Big 
Bowlder Bridge (p. 20) ; or (2) cross Mad River at Steps, and fol- 
low the Greeley Ponds path (p. 23) to the Big Bowlder Bridge path, 
t^^^n to the right and cross by the bridge into the Bluff path. 

These paths unite at Big Bowlder Bridge and follow up the left 
bank, first of Mad River and then of Slide Brook. They join the 
direct path at the Spring about half way from the Bowlder to 
Swaseytown. The mouth of Slide Brook is a few rods above the 
Bridge, and the Big Bowlder (p. 20) is a little distance up Slide 
Brook. Kettles Bridge, just above the Bowlder, marks the de- 
parture of the path to The Scaur, via Kettles. 

Tecumseh Ledges are situated close to the sum- 
mit and at the southern end of the great ridge of 
Tecumseh. There is no path (1892). 

Tecumseh Rapids, IJ M., are on Tecumseh 
Brook and are reached by a short side path from the 
Tecumseh path (p. 18). 

The Knight's Bridge. 
Crosses Mad Eiver about 2 M. above The Steps. 
Named for Sir Daniel Wilson, Toronto, P. 0. 

Thornton Gap is the pass between Osceola and 
Tecumseh. 

House to First Lookout (p. 17), iy2 M. ; to West Pools, 3 ; to East 

Pond, 7 ; to Hix Mt House, 7. 

Take the Osceola path (p. 17) to the First Lookout 
and then turn to the left up the right bank of West 
Branch. 

Towle's Fall, 2| M. They are on the Flume 
Brook (p. 23) a short distance above its mouth. 
Named for Hon. Geo. M. Towle, of Brookline, Mass. 

Triangle, The. Round trip, If M. 

The Osceola and Greeley Ponds paths make the sides 
and a cross-path, the base. Go by Osceola path 
(p. 17) nearly to Osceola Bridge and then turn to 
right. 

Trough, The, 2| M. down the road. A picturesque 
watering trough with quaint inscription. 



29 

Tyler's Spring, I M. Xamed for Deacon J. C. 
Tyler, of Boston, Mass. 

Go to the lower end of the Lower Meadow (p. 25) 
and take the path that keeps close to the river. This 
path, if followed beyond the spring, will lead to 
Snow's Brook and up its right bank for some distance. 
It then branches ; one path turns sharply back to the 
left and comes out in the field back of the School 
house, the other crosses the brook and keeps up its 
left bank to the road. There is also a loop-path turn- 
ing to the left at the top of the bluff beyond the spring 
and returning to the Lower Meadow. 

V, The. See South Tripyramid (p. 19). 

West Pools. In Thornton G-ap (p. 28) on West 
Branch. 






Gr Poncf.s 3r/cf3f-^,,_^ Ton-les Faii^ 



r-The5caur 







j/ffti/ej i 



^^rH.«y aup.d^ 



Mid. Tripyramid 



';,'f/' 



_/ "'£iepha/it ffocA 



\.The Coaea^^s 



£i^>cA, Casco€ie 



So.Tripyramid 



\£aioUs Porta 



. o/a Mi/, 



MAP 

OF THE 

TERVILLE VALLEY 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 



Jennings PK- 




By A.L.Goodrich. 

1892 



Scale of Miles 



